THE Rotary Club of Umhlanga inducted its 52nd president who has already made history by being the youngest president that the club has seen since its inception.

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Cohan Arjoona was sworn in last week at a lunch at Northwood Crusaders Sports Club. He takes over from Vanessa Champion who was president for two years.

Speaking to Northglen News, Arjoona said his involvement in service clubs started at a young age with the Interact Club in school. He then moved on to Rotaract in 2009, a club for young adults and, in 2018, joined the Rotary Club of Umhlanga as a Rotarian.

“Rotary is special to me because I love helping the community and seeing the joy of someone who doesn’t have anything else to give you in return but a thank you. It brings a tear to the eye, a lump in the throat and it motivates me to do more. Rotary opens doors and opportunities for me to give back,” he said.

The announcement that he will lead the club for the next year made Arjoona very nervous, but he is confident that he will soon adapt.

“It was overwhelming knowing I would lead this great organisation with Rotarians with such wisdom and knowledge, but I am adapting, and as time goes on, the nerves will settle,” he said.

There are numerous moments when Arjoona was involved in making a difference through Rotary’s intervention, however, two instances stand out for him.

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“We are involved in the Mzamo Children’s home in Verulam. This home is for children with cerebral palsy. Our recent involvement with bringing aid and restoration to tornado-struck Tongaat is also very touching – to see the devastation, and now, to see after our club assisted in the rebuild, is what’s most heartwarming,” he added.

His future plans for the Rotary Club of Umhlanga is to form bonds with other Rotary clubs to increase the Rotary footprint in the community.

“We need to ensure that the Rotary Club of Umhlanga is remembered for changing lives. I also plan to ensure we increase membership. Our club is an aging club, and in order to ensure that the Rotary Club of Umhlanga continues to remain alive and relevant, we must bring in new members,” added Arjoona.

The club meets on Tuesday evenings between 18:15 and 19:30 at the conference room, Breakers Hotel, Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga. Visitors are always welcome. A light dinner menu is available if you wish to join us for dinner after the meeting, but it is not obligatory.

Call 082 5333 270 or email cohanarjoona@gmail.com if you would like to attend or for membership enquiries.

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